Academy Bus Drivers Win 16-23 Percent Wage Hikes in New Pact (6/14/07)

After a tough round of negotiations with Academy Bus Tours, a transportation company in New Jersey, RWDSU Local 108 members won separate three-year contracts for drivers at the Tri-State, Rutgers and Middlesex bus terminals. The agreements cover 160 workers. They protect workers’ benefits and guarantees wage hikes of 16 to 23 percent over the term of the agreements.

Local 108 President Charles Hall, Jr. said a lot of tough issues were brought to the bargaining table during these negotiations. Overtime pay was a major stumbling block. Last year, the 100 Academy Bus drivers who service Hudson and Bergen Counties voted to authorize a strike after management refused to agree to negotiate decent overtime pay. This time management finally agreed to a provision for premium pay similar to a clause in last year’s contract.

“We also had to deal with maintaining our medical benefits and capping employee contributions, summer work, and continuing to bring our wages up to what professional drivers should earn,” said Bus Driver Stuart Ediger.

Academy Bus workers also negotiated a third week of vacation for workers with seven years on the job, improved pension contributions, and a “maintenance of benefits” clause guaranteeing that the employer maintains the employees’ level of medical benefits.